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News, Sports, Weather, Traffic and the Best of PittsburghTue, 03 Mar 2015 22:45:58 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/97501d9d4ef7a23e7663780b0a506821?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngCBS Pittsburghhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com
5 Things To Watch As MLS Season Beginshttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/5-things-to-watch-as-mls-season-begins/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/5-things-to-watch-as-mls-season-begins/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 22:36:37 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452448The calendar has flipped to March which means our 5th professional sports league starts up.]]>With the change of the calendar from February to March, the beginning of the Major League Baseball season is coming, but also for another of our professional sports leagues: Major League Soccer. The MLS is gaining in popularity steadily over recent years, and could get a boost from the excitement of the World Cup last summer. The season gets underway on Friday, so let’s take a look at five things to watch heading into this year’s season.

Will ratings improve? We alluded to the excitement of the World Cup last summer and what that could mean for soccer ratings for the domestic league moving forward, and apparently major TV networks are betting on the same kind of rise in viewership. This year the TV rights for MLS games will be split between ESPN and Fox Sports who reportedly paid a combined $75 million per season for the next 8 seasons while Univision will kick in $15 million per year. That’s an increase of $18 million in revenue from the previous contract. Although, the networks will need to see results from the ratings side to continue to make that investment.

New franchises. For the first time since 2012, the league will expand by adding Orlando City FC and New York City FC to the league. Adding a second team to the New York market allows a split to develop like Yankees-Mets, or Jets-Giants in other sports between the new NYCFC team and the New York Red Bulls. What these two new franchises can bring to the table attendance wise and notoriety wise will be a storyline to watch.

Credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images

Influx of International Stars. The trend of big international names coming to the MLS continued this offseason with the likes of Stephen Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Kaka, and Sebastian Giovinco all coming to various franchises. We’ve seen other players like Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, among others come over to play in the MLS in the past and this trend continues, we’ll see whether these big names draw more fans to the stadiums.

Return of USMNT stars. A huge boon for the league in the wake of its most recognizable star (Landon Donovan) retiring is the fact that multiple members of the USMNT will return to play in the league this season. There’s been a lot of debate over the years about whether U.S. stars should stay home to grow their own domestic league or if they should go and play in more challenging leagues in Europe. These young stars coming back home along with the international stars named above could continue to raise the quality of play in the league.

The status of the CBA. Like our other professional leagues, collective bargaining agreement talks often stall between the two sides and come down to the eleventh hour. The MLS is no different as it is currently operating without one after the previous CBA ended on January 31st. The main bone of contention between the players association and the league? The minimum salary for players, which currently sits far lower than any of our other leagues. Can the two sides get this resolved before it affects the season? We shall see.

A new season is upon us and soccer fans everywhere can get excited about the league beginning anew.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/5-things-to-watch-as-mls-season-begins/feed/0Warhol Documentary Aims To Paint Artist In New Lighthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/warhol-documentary-aims-to-paint-artist-in-new-light/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/warhol-documentary-aims-to-paint-artist-in-new-light/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 22:15:10 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452388Abby Warhola and her fiancé, Jesse Best, are determined to show a side of Andy Warhol that's never been shown before in a new documentary told from the family's perspective.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Abby Warhola and her fiancé, Jesse Best, are determined to show a side of Andy Warhol that’s never been shown before in a new documentary told from the family’s perspective.

Abby Warhola is Warhol’s great niece.

She and Best live in Warhol’s childhood home in South Oakland.

The couple, who are artists, started filming the Warhola family years ago about “Uncle Andy.”

“Their connection to Warhol is strictly personal, so they don’t look at him as an artist. He’s strictly family,” Best said.

The documentary marks the first time the family has ever opened up like this.

Having complete creative control comes with the responsibility of taking on all costs of the project.

Warhola and Best have put everything they have into the film, including all of their finances.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/warhol-documentary-aims-to-paint-artist-in-new-light/feed/0New Animal Rescue League Program Has Kids Read To Catshttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/new-animal-rescue-league-program-has-kids-read-to-cats/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/new-animal-rescue-league-program-has-kids-read-to-cats/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 21:55:50 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452371An animal shelter in Allegheny County is trying to give kids an opportunity to help.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An animal shelter in Allegheny County is trying to give kids an opportunity to help.

But, it has nothing to do with taking the dogs for a walk.

Instead, they are asking the kids to read to the cats.

“We have shelter tales. Kids read for their rescue. It’s a program for kids in levels one through eight to come and read to the cats,” Mary Withrow of the Animal Rescue League, said.

The program at the Animal Rescue League started Monday on Read Across America Day, which happens to be Dr. Seuss’s birthday.

Kids read to the shelter cats in short blocks.

“When I am out in the community, the kids want to help so much and this is a win-win. Kids that either have difficulty reading or are a little bit shy about it or love to read can come and read to the cats and the cats love it. Tonight, the cats were asleep about halfway through our first little session,” Withrow said.

Studies have shown that the rhythmic cadence of people reading aloud relaxes the cats.

That is key when animals must live in shelters awaiting adoption.

“They read in 20-minute increments. So, we have scheduling times and are hoping to broaden the program and keep going,” Withrow said.

Monday was the first night of the program, but they hope to build on the early turnout and find more children who want to help.

“Right now, we have two schools that we are working with and a home schooling group, but want to expand that,” Withrow said.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/new-animal-rescue-league-program-has-kids-read-to-cats/feed/2ACBA Alerts Public To Social Host, Underage Drinking Laws Ahead Of St. Patrick’s Dayhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/acba-alerts-public-to-social-host-underage-drinking-laws-ahead-of-st-patricks-day/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/acba-alerts-public-to-social-host-underage-drinking-laws-ahead-of-st-patricks-day/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 21:30:19 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452373If you're hosting a party at your home, you might want to check IDs at the door.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – There’s no question that Pittsburghers love to celebrate on Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. The annual parade is expected to draw a crowd of 200,000 people.

However, if you’re hosting a party at your home to continue the celebration, you might want to check IDs at the door.

“It’s against the law, first of all. Furnishing alcohol to a minor is against the law and you’re facing a significant level of liability if you do something like this,” Whitney Hughes of the Allegheny County Bar Association said.

Pennsylvania is one of several states with a social host and underage drinking ordinance.

If someone underage is caught drinking, it can mean jail time, big fines and lawsuits.

“For criminal liability, you can face a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail,” Hughes said.

The City of Pittsburgh enacted their own social host ordinance, which carries lesser penalties, but still a fine up to $500 and up to 72 hours behind bars.

Considering there are many college students and renters in the city, Hughes said landlords also have to be aware of what’s going on at their properties.

“If you have reason to know what’s going on and you do nothing to stop it, then theoretically you can be held liable as well,” she said.

Civil suits are also a possibility if the underage drinker is injured or injures someone else.

“You need to consider the consequences. Enjoy yourself, but do it responsibly,” she said.

“I hear it every day from residents. Why is the property tax so high?” said Joe Kleppick, the Democratic Chairman of East McKeesport. “My mom especially wants to move out of Allegheny County because of the property tax.”

But the idea of paying more income tax and more sales tax to pay for it – especially in Allegheny County, which already tacks on an extra one percent to the sales tax – not so much.

“I don’t own property, so I’d rather have a lesser sales tax and income tax than a property tax,” said Bill Nagy, of Bellevue.

“What about people who don’t own property and aren’t going to benefit from that? Really they’re kind of taking away from the people that don’t have anything and giving it to people who already have something,” said Jacob Doerr, of Kennedy Township.

“Being a homeowner, I’m one of those people who kind of go with the flow, but if it makes sense and everyone benefits, then I’m for it,” said Theresa Bradley, of Brookline.

Experts at the Allegheny Institute, though, say property tax relief would affect school taxes not county and municipal taxes.

“It’s going to vary,” said Eric Montarti, of Allegheny Institute. “We have a lot of districts right now that are very property tax poor that probably would get more money. We have districts that are very property tax rich that might not see as much. Then, you have to balance against how much more am I paying on my income tax and how much am I paying when I pay sales tax. Again, that’s a largely hidden tax because it’s collected by the retailer to know whether you’re coming out ahead or not on this deal.”

The governor says his plan would reduce the total tax burden on average middle class homeowners by 13 percent – that is if his plan is adopted.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/expert-crunches-numbers-on-gov-wolfs-budget-proposal/feed/1Local Man Sentenced For His 10th Drunken Driving Convictionhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/local-man-sentenced-for-his-10th-drunken-driving-conviction/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/local-man-sentenced-for-his-10th-drunken-driving-conviction/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 21:09:15 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452416A Pittsburgh man must spend 3½ to 7 years in prison for his 10th drunken driving conviction and third in the past 10 years.]]>PITTSBURGH (AP) – A Pittsburgh man must spend 3½ to 7 years in prison for his 10th drunken driving conviction and third in the past 10 years.

Fifty-nine-year-old Charles Ninness was arrested shortly before 1 a.m. July 20 when police in East Deer Township say they saw his car weaving and pulled him over.

Tests showed he had nearly twice the state’s legal limit of alcohol in his blood and that he was driving with a suspended license and on probation for a previous DUI.

Ninness pleaded guilty in December, and on Tuesday he was sentenced by an Allegheny County judge.

He received three to six years in prison because the offense was his third in 10 years, plus six to 12 months more for violating his probation.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/local-man-sentenced-for-his-10th-drunken-driving-conviction/feed/230 Players: Souza Has Tools To Impress For Tampa Bay Rayshttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/30-players-souza-has-tools-to-impress-for-tampa-bay-rays/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/30-players-souza-has-tools-to-impress-for-tampa-bay-rays/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:45:11 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452408Most baseball fans likely know Steven Souza from the unbelievable, no-hitter-saving catch he made in the final game of the regular season for the Nationals last year.]]>By: Rich Arleo

CBS Local Sports, in our “30 Players 30 Days” spring training feature, profiles one young player from each Major League Baseball team leading up to opening day.

Most baseball fans likely know Steven Souza from the unbelievable, no-hitter-saving catch he made in the final game of the regular season for the Nationals last year. But he gained a little more notoriety as the Rays’ centerpiece of the three-way Wil Myers deal between the Rays, Padres and Nationals.

Souza had a few stints with the Nats last season, but he was mostly used as a late-inning defensive replacement. While Souza rewarded Washington in the field, he didn’t quite get a fair shake at the plate in the bigs. He had more than one at-bat in just three of his 21 games last season, making it impossible to get into any sort of groove in his first attempt vs. big league pitching (and to enhance that point, both of his homers came in games in which he had at least three at-bats).

A quick look at his Minor League numbers will show you that there is much more potential here than just a defensive wizard. Souza crushed the pitching in his first season in Triple-A and showed the combination of power and speed that made the Rays target him in the Myers trade. It wasn’t a fluke either, as he had 15 homers and 22 steals in 2013 and 23 and 14 in ‘12. It was a long road to the Majors, but in eight Minor League seasons he hit 93 home runs and stole 158 bases. Now, he appears poised to take over a starting outfield spot in 2015.

Souza’s Steamer projections on Fangraphs.com have to excite the Rays, along with any potential fantasy baseball suitors. The renowned projection system has him with 18 homers and 19 steals in 122 games, approaching a 20-20 mark that Steamer projects only Mike Trout and Carlos Gomez to reach. The .246 average prediction appears to be spot on as well, as he was just a career .260 hitter in the Minor Leagues despite the gaudy power and speed numbers.

What can’t be denied is Souza’s raw power potential. His ISO (isolated power) was an excellent .240 in Triple-A last year, and in his small sample size in the bigs was .261 (for reference, a .140 ISO is considered average). Souza only has to hit around .260 and keep his OBP up around where he had it in the Minor Leagues (.356) in order to approach that vaunted 20-20 mark discussed earlier.

The right-handed hitter could find himself in a right-field platoon with the lefty-swinging Kevin Kiermaier to begin the season against lefties. Kiermaier is another young defense stud who has shown potential at the plate, and both should see plenty of time in the outfield during the season, with Souza likely ending up in left field much of the time over veteran David Dejesus. Either way, Souza shouldn’t have a problem cracking a Rays lineup that is once again young and relying heavily on potential. This season could be just the start of a very special career, as guys with Souza’s tools are hard to come by.

Rich Arleo is a freelance sports writer and editor who covers Major League Baseball and fantasy sports. You can follow him on Twitter, @Rarleo.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/30-players-souza-has-tools-to-impress-for-tampa-bay-rays/feed/0Breaking Down College Basketball’s Top 25 Teams [1-5]http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/breaking-down-college-basketballs-top-25-teams-1-5/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/breaking-down-college-basketballs-top-25-teams-1-5/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:06:44 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452400Here are the top five teams and a few key facts to help you get to know them.]]>Bryan Altman, CBS Local Sports

This is the first of five articles covering the best teams in college basketball. While there will be 64 teams entered into the NCAA Tournament, half of them won’t make it through to the second round. Here are the upper-echelon teams, all of which have the potential to make a deep run into the tournament this year.

(Note: All rankings are based on AP Poll as of March 2)

If you’re anything like me, this is usually the time of year when you begin to cram for the final exam known as March Madness. The problem is that too often it feels like you missed this year’s prerequisite course and are stuck listening to advanced conjecture from talking heads that you don’t understand. Simply put: you’re out of your league – and I feel your pain.

There’s so much information, so many teams, so many new faces in old jerseys that it’s nearly impossible to remember every key detail. But thankfully there’s hope. Just like any other situation where you have to digest an obscene amount of information, taking it one small step at a time is the key. So without further ado, here are the first five teams and a few key facts to help you get to know this year’s iteration of them.

1. Kentucky – 29-0

Usually I’d begin this session with some sort of sly, sardonic remark like ‘you’ve been living under a rock if you don’t know about Kentucky,’ but that’s not fair. We’re all beginners here and we’re all in this hunt for information together. So, let’s talk about Kentucky. The Wildcats are unbeaten, which is sort of all you need to know about them. Let’s dig in a little further though.

Coach/Conference – John Calipari (6th season) – SEC

Recent Tournament History – 2012 National Champions – Lost in NCAA championship, 2014

Best Player(s) – Willie Cauley-Stein and Carl-Anthony Towns - The hyphenated front court of Kentucky has been dominant as expected. Cauley-Stein will be a lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft should he enter it and alongside Towns they have made Kentucky unstoppable.

Important Victories – Def. Louisville 58-50 – This was the closest Kentucky has come all year to a defeat from a ranked opponent and it came against their long-time rivals.

Important Losses – None

Biggest Question – Will the one-and-done nature of March Madness get the best of the nation’s undisputed best team?

Virginia’s success this season hasn’t been very surprising for most. Virginia began the season in the top 10 of most analysts top 25 predictions and have stayed the course and have a 24-1 record to show for it. The Cavaliers aren’t known as the most exciting team in college ball due to their slow, deliberate style of play, but it sure is effective.

Coach/Conference – Tony Bennett (Not the one that left his heart in San Francisco) – (6th season) – ACC

Best Player(s) – Malcolm Brogdon and Justin Anderson – Unlike Kentucky, the Cavaliers are lead by their back court of Brogdon and Anderson.

Important Victories – Def. (9) Louisville, (12) North Carolina – The more important of these two wins was over UNC, that victory came just days after a loss to Duke and could have been a troubling back-to-back defeat for UVA.

Important Losses- Duke – They managed to minimize the damage, but a victory over Duke would have been one of the program’s biggest in a very long time.

Biggest Question – Can they beat Kentucky? (This could get repetitive)

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: Malcolm Brogdon #15 and Justin Anderson #1 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrate after a play against the Michigan State Spartans during the regional semifinal of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

3. Duke – 26-3

Duke has weathered a storm of tough opponents and come out on top more times than not proving to everyone that they’ll be a force in the tournament this March as usual.

Coach/Conference – Mike Krzyzewski (35th season) – ACC

Recent Tournament History – 2010 National Champions – Elite 8 – 2013

Best Player – Jahlil Okafor - As a 19-year-old freshman Okafor leads Duke in scoring, rebounding and shooting percentage.

Important Victories – (10) Notre Dame, (2) Virginia, (15) North Carolina – The comeback thriller against arch-rival North Carolina takes the cake. That game was one for the ages and it also gave coach Krzyzewski his well-deserved 1,000th win as a head coach.

Important Losses – (8) Notre Dame

Big Question – Can they beat Kentucky? – Repetitive or not, it’s really the only question that remains surrounding the Blue Devils. They’re one of the top scoring teams in the league, they rebound well, they play solid defense, the only question is if they can take down Kentucky in a winner-take-all matchup when it counts.

4. Villanova – 27-2

Villanova have proven themselves time and again against top 25 opponents, going 6-0 against them this year. They seem to be on a roll and have locked up the Big East heading into the conference tournament schedule.

Coach/Conference – Jay Wright (14th season) – Big East

Recent Tournament History – 2009 Final Four – Eliminated in first or second round past five years

Best Player – Darrun Hilliard – The senior guard is considered a front-runner for Big East Player of the Year this year thanks to his 14.4 point-per-game average.

Important Victories – (18) Butler – While the Wildcats locked up the Big East against Xavier on Saturday but it was really their critical win over 18th-ranked Butler that did the trick. By Beating Butler Villanova gave themselves an almost insurmountable cushion in the Big East en route to the title.

Important Losses – Georgetown – Georgetown beat Villanova by 20, the loss was almost so bad you can throw it out as an anomaly. Especially considering the Wildcats had their revenge a few weeks later.

Big Question – Can they hold on to a No. 1 seed? – The Wildcats have one final big test before their regular season comes to a close and that’s against St. John’s on Saturday. If they can beat them, they should be in good shape heading into the NCAA Tournament.

CINCINNATI, OH - FEBRUARY 28: Villanova Wildcats players celebrate during the game against the Xavier Musketeers at Cintas Center on February 28, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Villanova defeated Xavier 78-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

5. Arizona – 26-3

No shortage of Wildcats in the top five as the season comes to a close. These Wildcats belong with the others too as they have been sufficiently dominant since a stunning loss to arch-rival Arizona State.

Best Player – Stanley Johnson – Johnson leads a very well-rounded Wildcat offense with 14.1 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game to boot.

Important Victories – (13) Utah – After pulverizing Utah at home it seemed as though they would get their revenge when Arizona visited the Utes last week but that wasn’t the case. The Wildcats beat the Utes on the road and made a statement that the Pac-12 tournament is theirs for the taking.

Important Losses – UNLV, Oregon St. Arizona State – Arizona lost to all three of these unranked Pac-12 foes and that has to be a concern entering the Pac-12 tournament. Any of these teams can come out and shock the Wildcats if they aren’t careful.

Big Question – Can this be their breakthrough year? – The Wildcats always seem to be on the cusp of greatness but never reach it. They’re extremely well-rounded this year and could be as good a bet as any to take down the Wildcats at the top of this list.

That concludes the first part of our five-part segment, tomorrow we’ll tackle teams ranked No. 6-10.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/breaking-down-college-basketballs-top-25-teams-1-5/feed/2Pitt Seniors Hungry For Another NCAA Tourney Appearancehttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/pitt-seniors-hungry-for-another-ncaa-tourney-appearance/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/pitt-seniors-hungry-for-another-ncaa-tourney-appearance/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 20:02:42 +0000abbeyway0811http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452370Following a 69-66 loss at Wake Forest on Sunday, the sense of urgency for the Panthers is at it's highest point. With just two regular season games left, Pitt dropped from No. 37 to No. 49 in the RPI.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Following a 69-66 loss at Wake Forest on Sunday, the sense of urgency for the Panthers is at it’s highest point. With just two regular season games left, Pitt dropped from No. 37 to No. 49 in the RPI.

The Panthers still have a shot at making the NCAA Tournament, but it could require a nearly perfect performance the rest of the way.

“It’s in our hands. If we win and take care of business, then we have a good chance of getting to the tournament and if we don’t, we probably won’t, so we know what we have to do,” Nwankwo said.

Pitt’s last matchup against Miami was a 59-55 overtime win at home on Feb. 5, 2014. A victory on Wednesday would give the Panthers its 20th win for 14 consecutive seasons.

Pitt will close out the season on Saturday at No. 119 Florida State.

Wright said he doesn’t fully understand the details of bracketology, but he does know if they go out and play and win as a team, good things will follow. He says making the tournament has a lot to do with pride and continuing the tradition of making the tournament like in recent years.

Jamie Dixon has guided Pitt to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 11 seasons.

“Coach Dixon rarely ever misses the tournament, so I don’t want to be that guy my senior year and not make the tournament,” Wright said. “We are still in a good position, we could win a few games and do a couple things that can be done and I’m confident in my team.”

Wright and Nwankwo both experienced shortened seasons due to injuries, so an NCAA Tournament would be highly-valued experience to extend their careers a little further.

Wright missed the first seven games of the season due to a broken ankle and Nwankwo was also sidelined for seven games during the season due to a torn labrum.

“The sense of urgency is at it’s highest peak right now and my teammates understand that and they are behind me on this trip,” Wright said. “I love this place and this university and I wouldn’t have rather spent it anywhere else.”

Wright is averaging 9 PPG this season and is a three-time academic all-league honoree.

Randall played in 118 career games with 15 starts combining his four-year collegiate career at both Pitt and Rutgers and he recorded two career double-doubles.

Nwankwo played in 34 games for the Panthers over a five-year career. He scored 7 points with 2 rebounds in a 2014 win over Florida State.

“Every year has been like a different adventure starting from my freshman year and being the No. 1 seed in the tournament to past couple years having to fight all year,” Nwankwo said. “Being here the past five years has changed me in a lot of ways and has obviously been an important thing in my life, so either way it will be special having a great time come to an end.”

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/pitt-seniors-hungry-for-another-ncaa-tourney-appearance/feed/3Wednesday on the Fanhttp://twitter.com/937thefan
http://twitter.com/937thefan#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:17:27 +0000Jeff Oravitzhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452387Dan Zangrilli from Spring Training, Rob Rossi on the Pens, Pitt Hoops vs. Miami- 7p. Follow @937thefan on Twitter for tune in times!]]>]]>http://twitter.com/937thefan/feed/0Colts Punter, Plum Graduate Pat McAfee Has 124 MPH Leghttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/colts-punter-plum-graduate-pat-mcafee-has-124-mph-leg/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/colts-punter-plum-graduate-pat-mcafee-has-124-mph-leg/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:16:05 +0000Kraig Rileyhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452381To make it to the NFL as a punter, you have to have a big leg. Indianapolis Colts punter and Plum High School graduate Pat McAfee has that, and showed it off.]]>PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) – To make it to the NFL as a punter, you have to have a big leg.

Indianapolis Colts punter and Plum High School graduate Pat McAfee has that, and showed it off.

McAfee showed off his leg in a video posted to his Twitter page that included a soccer ball and a radar gun.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/colts-punter-plum-graduate-pat-mcafee-has-124-mph-leg/feed/3CBS Discount Nights at the Duquesne Light Home & Garden Showhttp://events.pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/pittsburgh_pa/events/cbs-discount-nights-du-/E0-001-081036180-8@2015030600
http://events.pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/pittsburgh_pa/events/cbs-discount-nights-du-/E0-001-081036180-8@2015030600#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:44:33 +0000Jeff Oravitzhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452380Take $3 off the regular ticket price during CBS Discount Nights with the coupon. Click here for the coupon.]]>Take $3 off the regular ticket price during CBS Discount Nights with the coupon. Click here for the coupon.]]>http://events.pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/pittsburgh_pa/events/cbs-discount-nights-du-/E0-001-081036180-8@2015030600/feed/0Insider Ed Bouchette: Steelers Have Some Tough Decisions To Makehttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/insider-ed-bouchette-steelers-have-some-tough-decisions-to-make/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/insider-ed-bouchette-steelers-have-some-tough-decisions-to-make/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:37:17 +0000Joe Kapphttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452364Bouchette says the Steelers made the decision to part with Worilds but the elephant in the room is what to do with Polamalu?]]>PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Post-Gazette Steelers Insider Ed Bouchette joined “The Cook and Poni Show” Tuesday to discuss the latest with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The biggest move yesterday was the one the Steelers didn’t make by using the franchise tag on Linebacker Jason Worilds.

Does this mean the end of Worilds with the Steelers?

“I think so,” Bouchette said. “There is still a chance he could go out and not find the money he was expecting.”

Bouchette says the Steelers have done this with players before like Ike Taylor and Ryan Clark, but he expects there will be a market out there for Worilds.

The Steelers are thin at linebacker and Bouchette said the Steelers may actually have to test the free agent waters for help and depth. One of those guys could be a familiar face.

“I would say don’t give up on James Harrison just yet,” Bouchette said. “He played well enough to help you depth wise. Now, you have to go out a find another starter.”

Bouchette said that doesn’t mean they will be looking for the big names you may want them to be looking at, but rather those middle of the road guys.

The Steelers are under the cap and are not forced to make any decisions just yet regarding cutting salary. However, Bouchette does mention that more cap relief will come when they begin to restructure certain contracts.

Then, there is the case of Troy Polamalu.

“That is the elephant in the room,” Bouchette said. “I expect him not to be here by some means. The Steelers are hoping he would retire, but I don’t know if he is going to.”

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/insider-ed-bouchette-steelers-have-some-tough-decisions-to-make/feed/3Top 5 Sports Callers Of The Week: February 23-February 27http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/top-5-sports-callers-of-the-week-february-23-february-27/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/top-5-sports-callers-of-the-week-february-23-february-27/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:44:07 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452367The Top 5 Sports Callers of the week is a weekly installment from CBS Local Sports & CBS Sports Radio that will bring you the wildest callers from across the nation.]]>The Top 5 Sports Callers of the week is a weekly installment from CBS Local Sports that will bring you the wildest callers from across the nation.

Number 5: In this week’s episode we start with Joe from New York who says Tiger’s current struggles have illustrated to him that he can’t handle pressure anymore. Mike Francesa isn’t buying what he’s selling.

Number 4: Checking in at four is King from Turlock who joined Grant Napear on KHTK to give his thoughts on court storming and what the potential issues are in the wake of Kansas State’s student section getting a little bit too overzealous in their storming of the court after a win over Kansas.

Number 3: The number three caller this week was Trent from Chicago joining Boers and Bernstein with some thoughts on court storming also. But his main issue is with the punishment that the guys’ had proposed on the show.

Number 2: The two spot goes to Howard from Farmingville NY who called in to Boomer and Carton with an interesting theory on what Babe Ruth used as performance enhancing drugs back in the day. He takes the cake as the weirdest caller this week.

Number 1: Finally, the top spot spot is Lynn from Maine who joined Felger and Massarotti to give his views on the new pace of play rules in the MLB as a lifetime baseball fan. The guys had a little fun with him because of how old he sounded.

Video:

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/top-5-sports-callers-of-the-week-february-23-february-27/feed/1Teen Driver, Pickup Helper Could Face Charges In Butler Co. ATV Deathhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/teen-driver-pickup-helper-could-face-charges-in-butler-co-atv-death/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/teen-driver-pickup-helper-could-face-charges-in-butler-co-atv-death/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:08:36 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452354State police say a teen driving an all-terrain vehicle that crashed, killing a 16-year-old passenger, could face charges - as could someone who apparently helped move the ATV from the crash scene.]]>PETROLIA (KDKA/AP) – State police say a teen driving an all-terrain vehicle that crashed, killing a 16-year-old passenger, could face charges – as could someone who apparently helped move the ATV from the crash scene.

State police in Butler aren’t identifying either suspect while they continue to investigate the crash that killed Briggs Buck, of Chicora, late Friday.

Lt. Thomas Dubovi says police believe the teen driver may have been drinking and left the scene because he was afraid to get into trouble. The ATV was too damaged to drive away, so Dubovi says someone following the boys in a pickup stopped after the crash and helped haul the ATV from the scene.

The crash happened on a rural road in Fairview Township, Butler County.

Police say the driver lost control of the vehicle as it slid on some snow. As the ATV rolled over, both boys were thrown from it, killing Buck.

BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) — When salmon, salamanders or other aquatic animals poop or shed skin cells, they leave behind traces of their DNA in the water, like clues left behind at a crime scene.

It’s this evidence that Kit Paulsen is seeking as she wades into an urban creek east of Seattle and fills a 4-liter jug with water. In a few minutes, she has a sample that will reveal whether a tiny destructive New Zealand mudsnail is present in the salmon-bearing stream.

At one-eighth of an inch, the snails are incredibly hard to find. That’s why scientists are turning to environmental DNA, or eDNA, an emerging surveillance tool that detects the presence of an organism by analyzing cellular material such as urine, hair, feathers or skin cells that are left behind in the environment.

Whether it’s Asian carp in Chicago-area waters, salamanders in Kentucky or great crested newts in the United Kingdom, biologists are using the tool to help look for reclusive or rare imperiled species, monitor unwanted creatures or gauge the overall biodiversity of a lake or stream.

“We’re starting to realize its potential,” said Caren Goldberg, an assistant professor at Washington State University who is managing editor of a special issue on environmental DNA in the journal Biological Conservation. Her lab in Pullman, Washington, will analyze samples that Paulsen and her team collects.

Paulsen, the city of Bellevue’s watershed planning supervisor, consulted with Goldberg after hearing about the method, and this spring, the city plans to test samples from 22 urban streams and eight beaches.

Bellevue has invested so much time and millions in salmon habitat and restoration that it can’t afford to let the invasive snails take hold, Paulsen said. The snails multiply rapidly, compete with native fish for food and can’t be eliminated once they infest a stream.

Using eDNA is cheaper and quicker than visual surveys, Paulsen said, though it’s not meant to replace it. At about $50 a test, including equipment and lab costs, the total cost of $12,500 is less than what it would take if employees walked those streams turning over rocks, she said.

Environmental DNA has been used for about a decade to detect microorganisms in soils and sediments. More recently, it’s been used to monitor endangered Chinook salmon in Washington state, secretive amphibians in Idaho, and protected eastern hellbenders in Ohio and Kentucky.

In one study, scientists found that eDNA was more effective than traditional methods, such as visual searches for eggs, in detecting imperiled great crested newts in the United Kingdom. They concluded it could be used effectively for a national citizen-monitoring program.

Environmental DNA, however, won’t tell scientists exactly how many animals are there, only that they’re present, or whether the animal is alive or dead. Material also typically breaks down in the environment in a week or two. And like any test, there’s a possibility for false positives if certain collection or other protocols aren’t followed.

In northeastern Washington, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation had been looking for affordable ways to monitor efforts to reintroduce spring Chinook in the Upper Columbia River.

Spring is a difficult time to detect the fish because of high runoff, and it’s also hard to get out into backcountry areas, said Matthew Laramie, a U.S. Geological Survey ecologist in Boise, Idaho.

He and others tested whether eDNA could be a good tool. They confirmed Chinook salmon in sites where they were known to be, and also picked up evidence of the fish in areas where they had not been seen before but could actually swim to. Separate tests did not pick up signs of the fish in areas where they could not swim to.

Laramie said it likely won’t replace fish counts, “but it’s a way to weed through a large system and prioritize resources.”

Back in Bellevue, Paulsen and another worker collected water samples and brought them back to a lab where they poured them through a filter. Any genetic material is captured on the filter, which is then shipped to Goldberg’s lab.

Based on the results, city officials will decide how aggressive it needs to be in requiring people to decontaminate boots and other gear at construction projects near streams this summer.

“The more tools we have, the better,” Paulsen said. “They’re so small I’m not sure I can detect them at low levels.”

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/dna-tool-helping-biologists-find-elusive-or-invasive-species/feed/3TGF: Gear: Tailgate Food Preparationhttp://tailgatefan.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/gear-tailgate-food-preparation/
http://tailgatefan.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/gear-tailgate-food-preparation/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:05:43 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452340A party host needs these three cooking tools before the seasoning even touches the food.]]>A party host needs these three cooking tools before the seasoning even touches the food.]]>http://tailgatefan.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/gear-tailgate-food-preparation/feed/0Darrun Hilliard II Leads The Way For A Villanova Team Aiming For A Top Seedhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/darrun-hilliard-ii-leads-the-way-for-a-villanova-team-aiming-for-a-top-seed/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/darrun-hilliard-ii-leads-the-way-for-a-villanova-team-aiming-for-a-top-seed/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:00:10 +0000cbsexaminerhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452337Villanova is having an amazing season and is in prime position to take a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament. There are a lot of great players on the team, but the talent and leadership of Darrun Hilliard II is taking them there.]]>By Danny Cox

Villanova is sitting at 27-2 and in first place in the Big East Conference. They’ve run through virtually every team that has stood before them and they’ve done it by sharing the basketball and getting everyone on the team involved. Still, they need leadership and it has come in in the form of senior guard Darrun Hilliard II.

The young man from Liberty High School was a two-time Associated Press first team All-State choice. As a senior, he averaged almost 20 points a game and finished second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,413 career points.

His parents, Charlene Jenkins and and Darrun Hilliard, were extremely proud when he signed a national letter of intent to attend Villanova in late 2010. Upon getting to the school, he brought forth an immediate impact and the university knew that they had gotten a very special player.

In Hilliard’s collegiate debut against Monmouth, he finished with nine points, three rebounds, and two assists in a 106-71 Villanova win. During his Freshman year, he played in 29 games while starting nine of them and finishing the year with a 4.8 points-per-game average.

That was only the beginning of what he would be able to do.

During that 20-4 run? Hilliard scored 14 of them on his own and he finished the night with a game-high 24 points.

The man they have given the nickname of “Money” proved again that he won’t give up on himself or his team and he will lead them as far into the NCAA Tournament as humanly possible. It looks as if he may also end up leading an NBA team in the future.

Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/darrun-hilliard-ii-leads-the-way-for-a-villanova-team-aiming-for-a-top-seed/feed/0Winter Storm Watch Issued For Wednesday Into Thursdayhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/weather-alerts-issued-as-rain-snow-mix-approaches-area/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/weather-alerts-issued-as-rain-snow-mix-approaches-area/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 14:14:03 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452326Changing weather conditions are in store for the Pittsburgh region over the next couple of days.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Changing weather conditions are in store for the Pittsburgh region over the next couple of days.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the area Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon.

Forecasters say as much as 6-inches of snow could fall in the Pittsburgh area.

Latest Forecast:

KDKA Meteorologist Jeff Verszyla believes the “watch” is warranted for Greene and Fayette counties, and the Laurel Ridges.

Verszyla is forecasting 1-3 inches for Allegheny County.

Today’s high will be around 42 degrees in the early evening. The rain will come down heavy at times, with occasional light rain and drizzle continuing into the overnight hours.

The low overnight will be 37 degrees.

The city loaded its trucks and braced for ice that never really came today. Instead, there was just the miserable rain, but the seemingly endless snow resumes Wednesday.

In preparation, this has been a day of moving salt to where it’s needed.

KDKA’s John Shumway Reports:

And while some salt domes across the area – like the one on Route 51 – were empty, others – like the one at Herchel Park – were doing okay.

“This time of year we’re in March, we’re not in January, we don’t need to have full domes,” said Mike Gable, the director of Pittsburgh Public Works. “We have several thousand tons on stock right now, and salt came in yesterday, came in today.”

Other places haven’t been so lucky and have reached out for help. McKeesport is getting salt from PennDOT out of Beaver County, and Verona needed some help as well.

“They had a smaller need, but still a need based on their requirements,” said Allegheny County Emergency Management Chief Alvin Henderson. “We were able to assist coming right from the county Department of Public Works.”

Meanwhile, across the board, folks are hoping this is winter’s last punch in the gut. It’s called weather fatigue.

“We go into December and we’re excited about snow and cold and getting to bundle up and stay home,” said Melanie Como Harris, of Squirrel Hill, “and four or five months of this, we all just want to be out and about.”

“I really would like it to be nice out,” added Travis James, of Mount Oliver. “All the ice and snow on the ground, all the slush and ice is making it very ugly outside and it brings down my day a little bit.”

With all the rain and the melting snow and ice, flooding will have to be monitored in spots.

A Flood Advisory is in effect for the Monongahela River.

The National Weather Service expects the river to rise to 18.8 feet by Thursday afternoon.

At 18 feet, water begins to affect the Mon Parking Wharf. At 19 feet, water starts to spill onto the North Shore Riverwalk.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/weather-alerts-issued-as-rain-snow-mix-approaches-area/feed/2Wolf Seeks Billions In Higher Taxes For Schools, Tax Revamphttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/gov-wolf-prepares-ambitious-budget-plan-for-school-funding/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/gov-wolf-prepares-ambitious-budget-plan-for-school-funding/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 13:41:17 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452324Gov. Tom Wolf is asking Pennsylvania lawmakers to approve $4 billion in higher taxes and new taxes to help boost school aid and shift education funding away from local property taxes.]]>HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – In an ambitious first budget plan, Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday proposed more than $4 billion in higher state taxes on income, sales and natural gas drilling to support new spending on schools and to cut property taxes as part of an overhaul of the way public education is funded.

Wolf, a Democrat, is also asking the Republican-controlled Legislature to cut corporate taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars, borrow more than $4 billion to refinance pension debt and inject new money into business loans, clean energy subsidies and water and sewer system projects.

All told, new subsidies for education from prekindergarten through college plus money for districts to reduce school property taxes would amount to more than $4 billion.

Saddled with nearly $4 billion in projected deficits and rising costs in the budget year that starts July 1, Wolf also said his plans would put the state on sound financial footing after three credit downgrades last year.

Top Democrats applauded the plan. But leaders of the Legislature’s huge Republican majorities quickly singled out the nearly $5 billion in increased state spending as a serious point of disagreement.

They said they may eventually find common ground on cutting pension costs and corporate and school property taxes.

In a 33-minute speech to lawmakers, Wolf said his budget would make the tax system fairer, improve public schools hit hard by recent cutbacks in state aid and foster a more vigorous business environment that produces more good-paying jobs. The total tax burden on average middle-class homeowners would drop by 13 percent under his plan, Wolf said.

“It includes Democratic ideas, Republican ideas and clearly ideas that exist beyond party lines,” Wolf told a joint session of the Legislature. “It is rooted in the values of fairness, inclusion and common sense. It is a balanced budget, and it eliminates our $2.3 billion deficit. But above all, it recognizes that Pennsylvania will not improve until we rebuild the middle class.”

Pennsylvania, Wolf said, stands at a crossroads, with an education crisis and bottom-of-the-nation rankings in job growth and creditworthiness. That is not acceptable, he said.

“The reality is, times have changed, and ideas that may have worked in the past simply aren’t working anymore,” Wolf said. “Our budget should be as bold and ambitious as Pennsylvania has been over the past 300 years. Today, I laid out my plan, and I’m going to fight for it.”

If passed, it would represent the biggest revamp in state taxation in decades, but many elements are sure to run into Republican opposition. For instance, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson, said Wolf’s proposal for an income tax increase will not get consideration in the chamber as part of what he called a two-year, $12 billion tax increase.

“I don’t think Pennsylvanians voted for that,” Scarnati said. “His proposals are so largesse in tax and spend, that it’s very difficult even to, with a straight face, sit down at a negotiating table.”

All told, Wolf’s spending plan would increase overall state spending through the state’s main bank account by about 3 percent to $29.9 billion from the current year’s approved budget. Counting $1.75 billion in pension obligation payments and $2.1 billion in school property tax relief, the increase is about 16 percent to $33.7 billion.

House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, called the size of the proposed spending increase “historic.”

“I think a 16 percent growth rate in spending is certainly not something that’s going to be acceptable,” Reed said. “Not only to the General Assembly, but to the people of Pennsylvania.”

The centerpiece of Wolf’s plan is a $3.8 billion property-tax initiative, including $600 million in casino gambling revenue, that he said would mean an average reduction of more than 50 percent in homeowner and farmstead property taxes in the 2016-17 school year. Another $426 million would go toward new rebates for renters with incomes up to $50,000.

Communities with higher tax and poverty rates would receive proportionately more relief.

It would help correct a system in which the state contributes a smaller portion of school costs than Alabama, Mississippi or West Virginia, punishing lower-income homeowners and fixed-income seniors with a high burden of property taxes.

“That means poorer urban and rural districts are not getting the help they need,” Wolf told lawmakers. “The gap in spending between rich districts and poor districts has, as a result, exploded.”

For education, Wolf is seeking nearly $1 billion in increases, from pre-kindergarten programs to universities, after deep cuts sustained during the prior administration. Another nearly $700 million would to go the Department of Human Services, which administers health care and social services programs.

The biggest increase in tax revenues would come from a proposed hike in the personal income tax – the first in 11 years – to generate $2.3 billion next year.

The flat tax would increase from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent and would be expanded to cover lottery winnings. The special poverty provision would be increased to allow more households to pay no income tax.

Wolf’s proposed increase in the sales tax would be the first in nearly 50 years, lifting the rate from 6 percent to 6.6 percent – and 7 percent to 7.6 percent in Allegheny County – while eliminating dozens of exemptions from the tax.

He would also increase taxes on natural gas drilling, banks and cigarettes and other tobacco products. The per-pack tax on cigarettes would rise by a dollar to $2.60 per pack.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/gov-wolf-prepares-ambitious-budget-plan-for-school-funding/feed/2Police Reopen Case Against Sex Offender Caught At Science Centerhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/police-reopen-case-against-sex-offender-caught-at-science-center/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/police-reopen-case-against-sex-offender-caught-at-science-center/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 13:33:09 +0000caseyshea9http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452322Police have refiled charges against a sex offender accused of sneaking into Pittsburgh's Carnegie Science Center and attempting to talk to a 12-year-old boy.]]>PITTSBURGH (AP) – Police have refiled charges against a sex offender accused of sneaking into Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center and attempting to talk to a 12-year-old boy.

Sherwood Stevenson was charged Monday with providing false identification to police and theft of services.

The 76-year-old Clinton resident’s lawyer declined comment to local media.

Police initially charged Stevenson with unlawful contact with a minor and other offenses after they say he followed the boy’s gifted class Feb. 4 and sat between him and a teacher in the center’s planetarium.

They say Stevenson pretended to be the boy’s grandfather when a teacher confronted him.

A judge dismissed a first set of charges against Stevenson at a Feb. 18 hearing.

Stevenson pleaded guilty in 2011 to charges he fondling a 6-year-old boy on a Florida cruise.

Dustin Moffat, 32, is accused of having sex with the 13-year-old girl at his home on Denny Street in Lawrenceville.

Police were investigating him for naked pictures found on his computer. They found numbers for several of the women who appeared on his computer and contacted them. As a result, they were able to track down the 13-year-old victim.

At the time of the 2011 incident, Moffat was 28-years-old. Police said the victim lived a few doors down from him.

The victim told police she was afraid of Moffat and tried to avoid him. But, when she was 14, she claims Moffat forced her to have sex in his home again.

She also said Moffat threatened and harassed her by text message and by phone. She also accused him of stalking her and waiting near her school.

According to the criminal complaint, Moffat slapped, spit on and choked the victim after she would get off the school bus.

The victim claims she never knew that Moffat took pictures of the sexual encounters. Police say Moffat later posted those explicit pictures online.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/lawrenceville-man-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-13-year-old-girl/feed/2Sharon Man Wanted For Murder, Arrested In Pittsburghhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/sharon-man-wanted-for-murder-arrested-in-pittsburgh/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/sharon-man-wanted-for-murder-arrested-in-pittsburgh/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 09:49:35 +0000natevandergrifthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452301U.S. Marshals have apprehended a man wanted for a weekend murder in Sharon.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA)- U.S. Marshals have apprehended a man wanted for a weekend murder in Sharon.

Michael Dwayne Bagnall, 31, was arrested around 10:15 p.m. Monday by marshals. He was charged with criminal homicide and will be arraigned in Pittsburgh today.

After his arraignment, Bagnall will be transported back to Mercer County.

Witnesses claim he shot and killed Jaylen “Bubby” West, of Farrell.

The shooting took place inside a home on Quinby Street in Sharon early Saturday morning.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/03/sharon-man-wanted-for-murder-arrested-in-pittsburgh/feed/3Pittsburgh Ranked Best Downtown by Livability.comhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/pittsburgh-tops-best-downtowns-list/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/pittsburgh-tops-best-downtowns-list/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 09:17:00 +0000natevandergrifthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452299Livability.com has ranked Pittsburgh as the best downtown in America.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA)- Livability.com has ranked Pittsburgh as the best downtown in America.

The website’s editors say they looked at small to mid-sized cities and took house values and populations into consideration.

Pittsburgh topped the list because of its walkable neighborhoods and abundant cultural amenities. It also got high marks for a high number of new homeowners and access to riverfront trails and greenspace.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/pittsburgh-tops-best-downtowns-list/feed/34 Injured In Leetsdale Crashhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/4-injured-in-leetsdale-crash/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/4-injured-in-leetsdale-crash/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 04:50:53 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452295Several people were injured in a head-on crash in Leetsdale late Monday night.]]>LEETSDALE (KDKA) — Several people were injured in a head-on crash in Leetsdale late Monday night.

The accident happened around 11 p.m. at the Quaker Village Shopping Center.

According to emergency dispatchers, at least four people were injured.

There’s no word yet on what caused the crash or the conditions of those who were hurt.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/4-injured-in-leetsdale-crash/feed/21 Killed In House Explosion In Eastern Ohiohttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/1-killed-in-house-explosion-in-eastern-ohio/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/1-killed-in-house-explosion-in-eastern-ohio/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 01:54:18 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452280Authorities say a man has been killed in a house explosion in eastern Ohio.]]>SHADYSIDE, Ohio (AP) – Authorities say a man has been killed in a house explosion in eastern Ohio.

It happened Monday afternoon in the Belmont County village of Shadyside, just outside of Wheeling, West Virginia.

Authorities say a propane gas leak sparked an explosion that sent the roof of the home and other debris flying into the street. Some nearby homes were also damaged.

The explosion then caused a massive fire.

The victim’s name has not yet been released. No other injuries were reported.

Residents in the neighborhood say they felt their doors and windows rattle.

A nearby high school was evacuated as a precaution.

Authorities say they believe the leak has been contained. They continue to investigate.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/1-killed-in-house-explosion-in-eastern-ohio/feed/2Vehicle Crashes Into Westmoreland Co. Homehttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/vehicle-crashes-into-westmoreland-co-home/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/vehicle-crashes-into-westmoreland-co-home/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 01:30:28 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452283Emergency crews have been called to Westmoreland County tonight where a vehicle has reportedly crashed into a home.]]>ALLEGHENY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) — Emergency crews have been called to Westmoreland County tonight where a vehicle has reportedly crashed into a home.

The crash happened around 8:30 p.m. on Hancock Avenue in Allegheny Township.

According to emergency dispatchers, injuries have been reported but there’s no word on the severity or if those hurt were in the vehicle, the home or both.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/vehicle-crashes-into-westmoreland-co-home/feed/3Democrats Say Wolf’s Budget Proposal Will Be Ambitioushttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/democrats-say-wolfs-budget-proposal-will-be-ambitious/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/democrats-say-wolfs-budget-proposal-will-be-ambitious/#commentsTue, 03 Mar 2015 01:10:29 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452278More details of Gov. Tom Wolf's forthcoming budget proposal emerged Monday, as top Democratic lawmakers said Wolf's ambitious proposal must be considered as a whole, rather than as pieces.]]>HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – More details of Gov. Tom Wolf’s forthcoming budget proposal emerged Monday, as top Democratic lawmakers said Wolf’s ambitious proposal must be considered as a whole, rather than as pieces.

The Wolf administration has not released many details. But Democrats who have had discussions with Wolf administration officials expressed support for a plan that they expect will seek substantial increases in education funding, significant cuts in school property taxes and a solution to a $2 billion-plus funding hole.

“This is a comprehensive plan that the governor will be rolling out as we go forward,” Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, said. “And that’s what’s important here: Recognize that there are parts of this plan that all go together in order to have us do what the people have asked this governor to do. So it’s all together.”

The budget, at $29 billion for this fiscal year, could eclipse $30 billion for the first time, if Wolf meets his campaign pledges to increase education by $1 billion or more and to fully fund the state’s rising pension obligations. Wolf already has said he would seek corporate tax cuts and higher taxes on natural gas drilling.

In addition to the budget, Wolf is expected to propose an income tax increase, as he proposed during his campaign, in what could be a multibillion-dollar aid package to help reduce school property taxes and shift a portion of the school funding burden onto the state. It is not clear how any property tax aid would be distributed, or whether districts would have to meet conditions before receiving it.

As part of the tax relief, Costa and Hughes expected Wolf to propose an expansion of a program that currently offers subsidies for rent or property taxes for the elderly and disabled.

Separately, Wolf will propose a $49.6 million increase for Penn State, an administration official with knowledge of the governor’s first budget told The Associated Press on Monday.

That is about 23 percent more than the $214 million Penn State is getting from the state this year. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the administration did not want spending proposals discussed publicly until Tuesday’s budget address.

The increase would be the first substantial boost for the university since it took a hit of more than $60 million four years ago in then-Gov. Tom Corbett’s first budget.

All told, Wolf faces a budget gap of more than $3 billion.

The $29 billion budget that he inherited is filled with more than $2 billion in one-time stopgaps that he must decide how to replace. Combined with rising pension payments mandated by a 2010 law and the rising cost of health care for the poor, debt and prisons, he must address more than $1 billion in new costs.

He could get help from better-than-expected tax collections: through February, the state had collected $17.4 billion, which was $378 million ahead of expectations. If the positive trend continues through the state government’s biggest tax-collection months of March, April and May, that number could rise.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/democrats-say-wolfs-budget-proposal-will-be-ambitious/feed/2Thieves Stealing Catalytic Converters For Scrap, Cashhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/thieves-stealing-catalytic-converters-for-scrap-cash/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/thieves-stealing-catalytic-converters-for-scrap-cash/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 23:27:46 +0000sarbear1987http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452262This Honda sounds as if it doesn't have a muffler -- but what's really missing is a catalytic converter.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — This Honda sounds as if it doesn’t have a muffler — but what’s really missing is a catalytic converter.

“So they cut this off,” explains Isaac Ngandwe, “they cut this off on both sides. The converter is supposed to sit in the middle here.”

Thieves in Highland Park have been stealing the converters and selling the platinum inside for scrap. In just the past two weeks Ngandwe has replaced converters in a dozen cars at his Mellon Street garage.

“We’ve seen a rash of this in the neighborhood,” he said.

Using Sawzalls — the thieves have fanned out across the city, hitting cars in Lawrenceville and quite a few in Polish Hill, just by crawling under the cars at night — severing the pipe on both sides of the converter.

“It just takes a couple of minutes and if someone’s doing it at night and they have a flashlight they can move very quickly,” said Leslie Clague with the Polish Hill Civic Association. “So if there’s a row of cars, they can go down the row and take them all.”

And you can’t drive it around — since the converters convert and neutralize carbon monoxide — the fumes can be noxious. The thieves are said to get about a $100 for the platinum, but if it happens to your car, it can cost more than $1,000.

“People who need money are always going to find something that has value, so this is the latest thing,” said Clague.

And Pittsburgh Police are asking you to be their ears and eyes. They ask you to report anyone lurking by cars or crawling under them, hoping to nip this new trend in the bud.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/thieves-stealing-catalytic-converters-for-scrap-cash/feed/0Man Dies After Crashing Car Into Fayette Co. Beauty Shophttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/man-dies-after-crashing-car-into-fayette-co-beauty-shop/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/man-dies-after-crashing-car-into-fayette-co-beauty-shop/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 23:13:28 +0000sarbear1987http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452255A Fayette County man died Tuesday afternoon when the Jeep Compass he was driving crashed into a Uniontown beauty salon.]]>UNIONTOWN (KDKA) – A Fayette County man died Tuesday afternoon when the Jeep Compass he was driving crashed into a Uniontown beauty salon.

The crashed happened around 4:15 p.m. at Suzzie Joe’s Beauty Salon on West South Street.

The driver’s name is being withheld pending notification of relatives.

Police said the driver was stopped at a red light; he suddenly accelerated, hit another vehicle, and then crashed into the salon.

Emily Patrick, who works as a bartender at a restaurant across the street, said she heard a scraping sound, looked outside and saw the jeep in the salon.

“The police had to break into the vehicle that had collided into the building,” said Patrick. “They broke the windshield and rear [window] on the driver’s side and were able to open up that side, driver’s side door and pulled the man out of the car.”

Patrick said she saw first responders giving the driver CPR before he was taken away to Uniontown Hospital.

It appeared he suffered a medical emergency, or some sort of a seizure seconds before or just after the crash.

“I just thought, wow that’s terrible that he actually ran into the building, but it was obvious that before the emergency personnel were able to come to the scene there were other bystanders that went up to the car to try to see if the man could get out, but he wasn’t responding,” Patrick said.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/man-dies-after-crashing-car-into-fayette-co-beauty-shop/feed/2Former White House Chef Serving Up Specialties At Washington Co. Steakhousehttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/former-presidential-chef-trades-white-house-for-washington-co-steakhouse/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/former-presidential-chef-trades-white-house-for-washington-co-steakhouse/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 22:50:55 +0000sarbear1987http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452238Chef Frank Santilli of the Bistecca Steakhouse prepares presidential specialties, with the help of a former White House chef.]]>http://media.pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/CBSPIT_0203201518240012094AA.mp4

WASHINGTON COUNTY (KDKA) — Chef Frank Santilli of the Bistecca Steakhouse prepares presidential specialties, with the help of a former White House chef.

Walter Scheib is visiting the upscale restaurant at the Meadows Casino to kick off Washington County Restaurant Week, on Tuesday night.

“Our goal is to come, show the restaurants, meet the chefs, see the product, have the hospitality and enjoy the tourism,” he explains.

Hillary Clinton hired the former chef for the famed Greenbrier of West Virginia to modernize the White House menu.

“Mrs. Clinton had let it be known that she was looking for a chef to bring great American cuisine to the White House,” he says. “Not for 10 or 12 people, but for three or four hundred people, for state dinners.”

Walter Scheib wrote a book called “White House Chef.” It’s part memoir and part cookbook. But if you’re looking for a tell-all book, no, he doesn’t give away all the recipes.

He says the wives planned the menus.

“Cooking for the presidents was guys’ food, if you will. Cooking for the first ladies was contemporary American cuisine. Mrs. Clinton had about 125 different hot sauces she collected from around the world, and she liked spicy food. Mrs. Bush only had one, but she put it on everything, so same effect. Now cooking for the presidents, on the other hand, was an entire different deal. I think they would have been just as happy if we had opened a burger joint or rib shack down in the basement.”

As for that blue state- red state thing, he says, “You check your ego and your politics at the door every day, and you just do what they want.”

And it’s not just about the food.

“Getting to know these people, that was my greatest honor of working at the White House,” says the chef. “Not cooking, but getting to know great families.”

Scheib joined the “KDKA Morning News” with Larry Richert and John Shumway to talk about what kind of food Presidents Clinton and Bush preferred.

He says about President Clinton, “Several would joke he was on the see food diet, he saw food and he would eat it.”

For President Bush Scheib says, “He had his favorites (and was a) man of very limited pretense and enjoyed simpler things. He actually used to say that if you made him a peanut butter and honey, a grilled cheese, a BLT or a hamburger you pretty much covered his entire known culinary universe. So, you didn’t have to go much further than that.”

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/former-presidential-chef-trades-white-house-for-washington-co-steakhouse/feed/2Local Man Develops Headband To Reduce Head Traumahttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/local-man-develops-headband-to-reduce-head-trauma/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/local-man-develops-headband-to-reduce-head-trauma/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 22:48:44 +0000sarbear1987http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452242Peters High School junior Rachel Corrigan loves playing basketball, but now she wears a special head band designed to protect her.]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Peters High School junior Rachel Corrigan loves playing basketball, but now she wears a special head band designed to protect her.

“I took an elbow to the head during practice, and I didn’t feel good after that,” Corrigan told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.

She suffered a concussion last December, and it wasn’t her first.

“That one I got from a ball being thrown to the back of my head, and I just remember feeling dizzy and sick,” Corrigan added.

Now Rachel wears a head band developed by Pittsburgh entrepreneur Federico Olivares.

“I felt a lot safer on the court with it. It gave me my confidence back on the court to play without feeling ‘I’m going to be hit again, I’ll be out for another month.’”

More than 300,000 sports-related concussions occur in the United States every year in almost every sport from football to soccer to basketball to hockey to skiing.

But while parents worry about concussions, more suffer other non-concussive injuries to the head.

The National Institute of Health says 2 million people each year sustain head injuries, one every 15 seconds.

A bike fall got Olivares, a Cranberry resident, involved.

“I saw my son fall down and hit his head on the concrete. He was wearing a bicycle helmet and, unfortunately, the bicycle helmet didn’t protect him a lot,” said Olivares.

He wanted something that would protect his son’s head.

“I was really looking for one product that could really protect my kids — and any kids — throughout the year, so if there was one product that I could give them that they could use in multiple sports, what would it look like — and that’s really the birth of 2nd Skull.”

Olivares couldn’t find that one product, so he developed his own — a head band and a skull cap for under a helmet that, he says, adds from 35 to 60 percent more impact protection.

Delano: “What’s the material?”

Olivares: “It’s a soft urethane called XRD and basically the material hardens upon impact. So the great thing about this material is that it is very soft, flexible, but at sudden impact it hardens and that’s how we add the protection.”

To test this impact absorption, Olivares showed me regular foam found in helmets and his patented material in his products.

Delano: “That just bounces right off.”

Olivares: “Yes, so, big bounce means big impact. When an athlete is playing a sport in a helmet environment or head gear environment, that is not adding a lot of protection. Now I am going to show you the impact absorption protection of 2nd Skull.”

The head band is a very comfortable, light weight product, but local company officials have to be very careful about claiming how much protection it really provides.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/local-man-develops-headband-to-reduce-head-trauma/feed/1Businessman Skeptical Of Councilman’s Unique Idea To Increase Minimum Wagehttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/businessman-skeptical-of-councilmans-unique-idea-to-increase-minimum-wage/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/businessman-skeptical-of-councilmans-unique-idea-to-increase-minimum-wage/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 22:35:10 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452228West Coast cities like San Francisco and Seattle are raising their mandatory minimum wage to $15 an hour, but city Councilman Corey O'Connor says a similar move won't fly in Pittsburgh. ]]>PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — West Coast cities like San Francisco and Seattle are raising their mandatory minimum wage to $15 an hour, but city Councilman Corey O’Connor says a similar move won’t fly in Pittsburgh.

“I think we should take small steps at this,” said O’Connor. “Obviously, we want the minimum wage to go up.”

So, O’Connor is asking businesses to consider a less dramatic jump — on a voluntary basis.

As an incentive, the city would design and post a free bus shelter ad for businesses that raise employee pay from the state-mandated minimum wage of $7.25 to $10.10 an hour.

“This is a great incentive to do it, and not only that, we’ll continue to talk about you because you took a lead in going from $7.25 all the way up to $10.10 or higher,” O’Connor said.

The city is allotted space on some 200 bus shelters and the ads would acknowledge those businesses that have opted to pay their employees more. He says those ads would be designed by Lamar Advertising for free.

“It costs us nothing. That’s the best part,” O’Connor added.

Jeff Cohen, the owner of Smallman Street Deli in the Strip District, already pays his employees above the minimum wage, but is sour on O’Connor’s idea.

“Giving free advertising to businesses in this instance won’t do any good,” said Cohen.

As chairman of the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, Cohen says pay increases for at many small businesses would force employers to cut jobs or employee hours and increase the cost of their goods and services.

He also says the city shouldn’t be involved.

“In general, they should mind their own business,” said Cohen. “No small business wants more government intervention period.”

But O’Connor emphasizes that the program is voluntary. No one is required to raise the minimum wage, but the city will reward those that do.

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – A prescription drug ring is allegedly traced back to an area podiatrist.

He’s accused of shelling out thousands of pills over a two-year period.

The Uniontown podiatrist told investigators when they first nabbed him, “I have a problem. I’m embarrassed and hurting. I knew this was coming.”

All of that was in the paperwork filed by the Attorney General’s office.

Dr. William Todd Ainsley and six of his patients were in court Monday. Their ring was being described as a painkiller scheme.

According to investigators, Ainsley prescribed more than 20,000 painkillers to his patients in a two-year period. Investigators allege the patients used some of the pills and as part of the arrangement, Ainsley used the rest.

In the group appearing in court Monday on drug charges, was a school teacher and a corrections officer.

Patients told investigators Ainsley prescribed their pills for foot and ankle pain and made them give him half of the pills back in return.

KDKA was able to talk to his attorney, who had just taken the case.

“Our office is going to represent Dr. Ainsley,” said attorney Jeremy Davis. “He’s a respected member of our community. We are going to take our representation of him from this day forward, move forward with him in this case.”

Dr. Ainsley, of North Union Township, is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy and several other charges.

The others face numerous charges, including possession with intent to deliver.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/doctor-teacher-corrections-officer-charged-in-prescription-drug-ring/feed/24th Suspect Arrested In Bar Shooting That Left Security Guard Deadhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/4th-suspect-arrested-in-bar-shooting-that-left-security-guard-dead/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/4th-suspect-arrested-in-bar-shooting-that-left-security-guard-dead/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 22:20:29 +0000hlang84http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452233Authorities in western Pennsylvania say a fourth suspect has turned himself in to face charges in the shooting death of a security guard at a Pittsburgh bar.]]>PITTSBURGH (AP) – Authorities in western Pennsylvania say a fourth suspect has turned himself in to face charges in the shooting death of a security guard at a Pittsburgh bar.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kevin Ford of Pittsburgh is charged in Allegheny County with homicide, conspiracy, aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Police arrested 26-year-old Harvey Scott when he crashed his car after the Feb. 16 shooting death of 24-year-old Deion Nesbitt at the Rendezvous Phase III bar in Homewood.

In his only season with the Steelers, Moore caught just 14 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns in a disappointing season that saw the veteran wide receiver sitting on the sidelines at times despite not being injured.

Prior to coming to the Steelers, Moore had a modest amount of success with the New Orleans Saints where he caught 346 passes for 4,281 yards and 38 touchdowns in eight seasons.

According to Steelers insider Ed Bouchette, the Steelers made another roster decision today.

@Steelers will not use the franchise nor transition tag this year. Used it on Worilds last yr, on Woodley, Max Starks in past

Despite using the transition tag on Worilds in 2014, the Steelers are set to allow their outside linebacker to test the free agent market this year after recording 59 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and one interception this past season.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/report-steelers-cut-lance-moore-allow-jason-worilds-to-test-free-agency/feed/1Attack At Aliquippa HS Caught On Camerahttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/attack-at-aliquippa-hs-caught-on-camera/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/attack-at-aliquippa-hs-caught-on-camera/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 21:48:10 +0000sarbear1987http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452208The parents of an Aliquippa High School student are mad after they say their daughter was attacked by another student. ]]>ALIQUIPPA (KDKA) – The parents of an Aliquippa High School student are mad after they say their daughter was attacked by another student.

The attack in question was caught on video. In the video, one girl goes after another, beating her until she’s pulled away by a teacher.

RAW VIDEO: Fight caught on camera:

The victim, 17-year-old Janisia Tigner, says she doesn’t know why the other girl went after her. Her parents say she had to go to the hospital after suffering a broken nose and other injuries.

Tigner transferred to the school last fall and joined the basketball team. She says she’s been bullied by the girl on camera since then.

“I was in the doorway, facing the classroom and the next thing I know, I was on the ground being punched,” she said.

So far, school officials say they’re aware of the incident but would not comment further.

“I just feel like something should have been done and this could have been avoided,” said father James Dean.

KDKA’s Lynne Hayes-Freeland Reports:

Tigner’s parents say they plan to press criminal charges.

“That wasn’t a normal fight,” said mother Dwayna Dean. “This was an assault.”

Tigner says she just doesn’t want to be picked on anymore.

“I don’t want to go back there,” she said. “It’s going to be even worse.”

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/attack-at-aliquippa-hs-caught-on-camera/feed/130 Players: Red Sox Hope Rusney Castillo’s Talent Translates To Bigshttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/30-players-red-sox-hope-rusney-castillos-talent-translates-to-bigs/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/30-players-red-sox-hope-rusney-castillos-talent-translates-to-bigs/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 21:16:54 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452210Aside from elite prospects, it’s not often that a player with only 10 games of MLB experience comes into Spring Training with an almost guaranteed spot in the starting lineup.]]>By: Rich Arleo

CBS Local Sports, in our “30 Players 30 Days” spring training feature, profiles one young player from each Major League Baseball team leading up to opening day.

Aside from elite prospects, it’s not often that a player with only 10 games of MLB experience comes into Spring Training with an almost guaranteed spot in the starting lineup. But there’s good reason Boston’s big signing from Cuba, Rusney Castillo, is the favorite for the starting center-field job.

Looking to capitalize on the recent influx of International talent, the Red Sox signed Castillo to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal in late August. After just a few weeks, Castillo went straight to the Majors and finished the year with the club, flashing an impressive combination of power and speed in a very short amount of time.

The Red Sox obviously wanted Castillo — who had not played baseball since 2012 before his brief stint with the club in September — to get some work in over the fall and winter, so he was sent to the Arizona Fall League. Unfortunately, a thumb injury cut his AFL season short after just eight games, though he did go 10-for-36 and score 10 runs for the Surprise Saguaros. The thumb injury was not too serious, and he picked up where he left off in the Puerto Rico Winter League, batting .405 in 10 games.

Boston had scouts eyeing Castillo for quite some time, and they obviously liked what they saw enough to convince the club to give him such a large commitment. While he has Minor League options left, GM Ben Cherington has already said he doesn’t think Castillo needs any more seasoning in the Minors, so he’s the clear frontrunner in center field. He’s no shoe-in, however, as the Red Sox also have prospects Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. in the mix as well. Betts hit .291 with 18 extra-base hits in 52 games for Boston last season, while Bradley Jr. struggled mightily at the plate but shined defensively. Given Castillo’s $10.5 million base salary this year and impressive tools, it’s likely up to Castillo to simply play well enough to make the club.

It’s tough to predict how he can perform given the fact that he has no Minor League stats and just 10 big league games under his belt, but that short stint, his Cuban National Series numbers (40 HRs, 66 SBs, .315 BA from 2010-2012) and his winter numbers clearly show the talent and potential he possesses. Steamer Projections have him hitting 13 home runs and stealing 15 bases with a .279/.322/.422 slash line — pretty strong rookie numbers, especially for a relative unknown. Given the incredible success of fellow Cuban imports like Jose Abreu and Yasiel Puig, among others, there’s no reason to believe Castillo’s tremendous skill can’t translate to MLB. Expect a strong rookie year as an important part of what looks to be a very impressive Red Sox lineup.

Rich Arleo is a freelance sports writer and editor who covers Major League Baseball and fantasy sports. You can follow him on Twitter, @Rarleo.

]]>http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/30-players-red-sox-hope-rusney-castillos-talent-translates-to-bigs/feed/2Pop Channel Bringing Daytime Emmys Back To TVhttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/pop-channel-bringing-daytime-emmys-back-to-tv/
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/03/02/pop-channel-bringing-daytime-emmys-back-to-tv/#commentsMon, 02 Mar 2015 20:52:24 +0000cbskaposthttp://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/?p=452202The Daytime Emmys ceremony is returning to television with a new home on the Pop channel.]]>LOS ANGELES (AP/CBS) — The Daytime Emmys ceremony is returning to television with a new home on the Pop channel, a CBS company.

The National TV academy and Pop, formerly the TV Guide Network, made the announcement Monday. The ceremony will air live on Sunday, April 26th at 8pm ET/5pm PT from the legendary Warner Bros. Studios lot on Stage 16 – the location of countless iconic Hollywood films such as “Casablanca,” “Jurassic Park” and “Ghostbusters.”

After losing its longtime spot on the broadcast networks in 2012, the Daytime Emmys aired on cable news channel HLN for two years.

In a statement, Pop channel President Brad Schwartz said adding such live events is among the ways the rebranded channel will grow.

“Our new partnership with the Pop network is an ideal platform to present our signature gala,” said Bob Mauro, President, NATAS. “With the Warner Bros Studios as our venue, where so many great films and television shows have been made, coupled together with Michael Levitt, our executive producer, who created the ‘TV Land Awards,’ and has produced numerous live event specials including ‘The Producers Guild Awards,’ ‘The Billboard Music Awards,’ and ‘E! Live from the Red Carpet’ shows for the Golden Globes and Oscars®, this promises to be a very special telecast of the 42nd Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards.”

“As a fan of daytime television, I couldn’t be more honored to be producing this landmark special. The daytime community consistently generates quality programming and has so much to be proud of. I’m thrilled to be able to produce this ceremony that will celebrate the best of daytime in a memorable, fun and reverential way,” said Levitt.

The 42nd annual Daytime Emmys, produced by Michael Levitt, will air live on Sunday, April 26. A host was not announced.